Railway truck



April 15, 1952 E. c. JACKSON 2,592,700

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Sept. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR EDWIN C. JACKSON BY @447 M AT QRNEY April 15, 1952 E. c. JACKSON RAILWAY TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed. Sept. 14, 1945 FIG. 3.

FIG. 4.

INVENTOR EDWIN C. JACKSON ATTORNEY April 15, 1952 E. c. JACKSON 2,592,700

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Sept. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR EDWIN C. JACKSON FIG. 8.

April 15, 1952 E. c. JACKSON RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Sept. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I M9, \54 "FIGJI. v

' INVENTOR J3 Eowm C. J cKsoN ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRUCK Edwin C. Jackson, Clayton, Mo., assignor to General Steel Castings Corporation, Granite City, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application September 14, 1945, Serial No. 616,223

15 Claims. 1

The invention relates to railway rolling stock, and more particularly to a spring plankless type of truck having a lateral motion bolster, springs supported from the truck frame, the springs being directly mounted on the truck frame, and bolster carrying swing hangers pivotally supported by the springs.

The truck is particularly adapted for high speed trains in which it is desirable to use flexible springs providing maximum spring action and it is desirable to control the lateral motion of the bolster to prevent undesirable lateral sway and resulting tilting of the bolster and the car body mounted thereon when the car is rounding curves.

The objects of the present invention are to improve the riding qualities of a truck of the typ described, to reduce the truck weight and to snub the action of the bolster supporting springs without affecting the action of the bolster lateral motion devices.

These objects are attained by seating the bolster supporting springs on the truck frame, suspending the swing hangers from the springs, mounting the bolster directly upon the swing hangers, tying the upper ends of the swing hangers against movement transversely of the truck and providing snubbing devices between the frame and the upper ends of the swing hangers.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention:

Figure 1 is a top view of one longitudinal half of a four-wheel truck embodying the invention, some of the parts being sectioned for better illustration and the end portions of the truck being broken away to permit the drawing to be made upon an enlarged scale.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1, some of the parts being sectioned for better illustration.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the transverse center line of the truck.

Figure 4 is a detail top view of an intermediate portion of a truck illustrating a, modification of thestructure shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

- Figure 5 is a section corresponding to the upper portion of Figure 3 but illustrating the structure shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top view corresponding to the central portion of Figure 1 but illustrating another form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 6. t

Figure .8 is a vertical section on center line of the truck.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 correspond to Figures 6, 7

the transverse and 8 but illustrate another form of the invention, some of the parts shown in Figure 10 being sectioned for clearer illustration.

Figure 12 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line [2-52 of Figure 9.

The truck shown in Figures 1-3 comprises the usual wheels equalizers 4 extending between journal boxes with elevated ends resting on top of the journal boxes. Coil springs 5 are mounted on equalizers d and are spaced from each other longitudinally of the truck. A rigid truck frame is mounted on springs 5 and includes wheel pieces 6 and transverse transoms 1'. Intermediate the ends of the truck frame each wheel piece is provided with a rigid bracket 8 extending outwardly from the wheel piece and forming a seat for a plurality of springs 9 the upper ends of which mount a cap [0 extending longitudinally of the truck over and beyond springs 9 and provided with bearings II for pins [2 from which are suspended swing hangers IS, the lower ends of which carry a cross bar I4.

A bolster [5 extends from side to side of the truck and between equalizers 4 and wheel pieces 6 and with its end portions It restingon cross bars l4. Intermediate the sides of the truck, the bolster includes a center plate portion I l for supporting the car body. Adjacent wheel pieces fi, the bolster is provided with side bearings l8 normally spaced from the wheel pieces and serving to limit the lateral movement of the bolster as the latter moves with the swinging of the hangers. Abnormal lateral movements will bring the sides of side bearings H3 in contact with wheel pieces 6.

Each spring cap i0 is positioned laterally of the truck relative to the truck frame by anchor means comprising spaced tie rods l9 having their ends connected to the cap and to upstanding brackets 20 on the adjacent wheel piece. Preferably, the connection at each end of each tie rod includes a rubber pad lea gripped between the end of the tie rod and the interconnected part and serving to cushion forces applied through the tie rod transversely of the truck. Also this type of cushion permits the tie rod to angle relative to the parts to which it is connected and thereby yieldingly accommodates vertical movement of the spring cap, swing hangers and bolster due to the action of the associated springs 9.

Oscillation of springs 9 is snubbed by a shock absorber 2| of the telescoping type placed at each side of the truck with its upper end secured to spring cap Ill and its lower end secured to the outer end of bracket 8 on the truck frame. The

l, axles 2, journal boxes 3 andbolster is positioned longitudinally of the truck by anchor rods 22 at opposite sides of the truck each having its ends secured respectively to a bracket 23 on the truck frame and a bracket 24 on the end of the bolster.

With this arrangement, load carrying center plate l1, bolster side bearings I8, frame wheel piece 6 and the seats for bolster springs 9 are all located at substantially the same level. As there is no spring plank, the total weight of the truck will be less than in trucks having the usual spring plank, assuming that other conditions are approximately the same.

The anchorage between the spring caps and the truck frame relieves the springs of lateral thrust due to the movement of the bolster and truck frame relative to each other transversely of the truck and provide that such lateral movement will be by means of the swing hangers only, thus providing for ready control of such lateral movement by suitably designing the length and angularity of the swing hangers. It is customary in this type of lateral motion bolster to have the swing hangers at opposite sides of the truck inclined to the vertical in opposite directions. Without anchors l9, there would be a tendency for the upper ends of the springs to be distorted laterally under the pull of the inclined swing hangers and this tendency is eliminated by use of the anchor devices.

The positioning of the bolster springs, swing hangers and shock absorber outwardly of the truck from the truck frame wheel pieces renders the truck more stable against car body roll laterally of the truck than with springs and hangers positioned inwardly of the truck from the wheel pieces. This arrangement also facilitates access to these parts for inspection, removal and repair.

Figures 4 and illustrate a modification of the anchor structure shown in Figures 1-3 in that the anchor rods 38 are pivotally connected to the bracket 3| on truck frame 36 and to the bracket 32 on spring cap 3'! by pins 33 and 3d respectively. Anchors 30 hold the spring caps and the upper ends of springs 35 against movement transversely of the truck relative to the truck frame. The bolster is suspended from the spring caps by inclined hangers 38 which tend to center the bolster in the truck but permit lateral movement of the bolster due to lateral thrusts between the truck parts.

With this arrangement, the anchors 35 offer no resistance to the relative vertical movement of the spring caps and truck frame but hold these parts against relative transverse movement similarly to or even more definitely than do the anchors l9 previously described with their gripped rubber pad connections to the truck frame and spring cap.

Figures 6-8 illustrate another form of the invention in which the general arrangement of wheel and axle assemblies (not shown), equalizers 40, truck springs 4 l truck frame with wheel pieces 42, bolster 43 and swing hangers 44 are substantially as previously described, and the bolster supporting springs 45 are similarly mounted upon brackets 56 extending outwardly of the truck from wheel pieces 42. Each bracket 46 terminates in an upstanding web 41 and each spring cap 48 has a vertical web 49 extending alongside bracket web 41. Webs 41 and 49 may be provided with renewable wear plates 5!] and these parts slide on each other to frictionally resist oscillations of springs 45 and to hold the spring caps and the upper ends of the springs and swing hangers against movement transversely of the truck relative to the truck frame.

With this arrangement, a single large diameter coil spring 45 is provided at each side of the truck to support the swing hangers depending from the cap at each side of the spring and, in this respect, the structure is further distinguished from that previously described in which a plurality of bolster springs are arranged in series longitudinally of the truck.

Since hangers 45 at opposite sides of the truck are inclined in opposite directions from the ver- 7 tical and tend to thrust the spring caps outwardly of the truck, it will be obvious that the sliding engagement of the spring caps and the upright webs of the frame brackets 45 holds the caps and the upper ends of the springs and swing hangers against movement transversely of the truck and increases the stability of the bolster supporting structure in a manner generally similar to that previously described.

The main features of the invention may be embodied in a truck in which the bolster springs and swing hangers are positioned inwardly of the truck from the frame wheel pieces. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 9-12 in which the wheel and axle assemblies (not shown), the equalizers 55, truck springs 5| and truck frame including wheel pieces 52 correspond generally to those previously described, but the bolster springs 53 are seated on transverse transoms 54 connecting the frame wheel pieces 52 at opposite sides of the truck. Springs 53 mount individual caps 64 each of which supports a pair of hangers 55 and each of which is anchored to the truck frame by a tie rod 56 corresponding generally to thatshown in Figures 1-3 but extending inwardly of the truck frame wheel piece from a bracket 5! projecting upwardly and outwardly from the wheel piece.

Cross bars 58 are supported by all or the swing hangers at one side of the truck and provide a pivotal mounting for the end of the load carrying bolster 59 which includes a side bearing 60 at each side of the truck positioned intermediate the adjacent bolster springs 53. The outer portions of the bolster are positioned between equalizers 50 and wheel pieces 52 and terminate in a bracket 6| to which are attached one end of the shock absorber 62 and one end of the longitudinal anchor rod 63. The other end of the shock absorber is secured to bracket 51 on the truck frame and the other end of anchor rod 63 is secured to a bracket 65 on the truck frame.

As in the forms previously described, the bolster center plate and side bearings are at the usual level, notwithstanding the fact that the bolster springs 53 are positioned inwardly of the wheel pieces 52 and are mounted on the truck'fram'e. The swing hangers are approximately the length and elevation as previously used.

Each of the structures described above attains the general object set forth in the introductory portion of the specification by means of features common to all forms of the invention and each form differs from the others in specific details as described. Other variations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of those modifications coming within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway truck, wheel and axle assemblies, a truck frame having spring supports on said assemblies, upright coil springs at opposite sides of the truck and spaced longitudinally of the truck'from said supports and each seated at one end on the" truck frame with its other end extending upwardly, links extending transversely of the truck and each having one end secured to the truck frame and having its other end holding the upper portion of an associated spring against movement transversely of the truck relative to the truck frame while permitting vertical movement of the unseated-end of the spring relatlye to the truck frame, swing hangers suspended from said springs, and a load-carrying bolster supported by said hangers.

2. In a railway truck, structure for supporting a load-carrying bolster and including wheel and axle assemblies, a truck frame spring-supported thereon, springs carried by said frame at opposite sides of thetruck, caps on said springs, swing hangers with their upper ends pivotally supported by said caps and with their lower ends provided with bolster connecting elements, and link-like devices extending transversely of the truck and secured at their opposite ends tosaid caps and to said frame to hold the pivotally supported ends of said hangers at opposite sides of the. truck in spaced relation to each other transversely of the truck while accommodating their vertical movement relative to said frame.

3. A railway truck construction as described in claim 2 in which the swing hangers are normally inclined in opposite directions from the vertical between their pivotally supported upper ends and their lower ends and the corresponding ends of hangers at opposite sides of the truck are positioned relative to each other by the bolster and by the frame and the link-like devices.

4. In a railway truck, spaced wheel and axle assemblies, equalizers extending between said assemblies, there being springs on each of said equalizers adjacent to said assemblies, a truck frame supported on said springs, spring structure carried on said truck frame nearer the longitudinal center line of the truck than said springs, swing hangers with upper ends pivotally supported from said spring structure, a load-carryin bolster supported by said swing hangers, and means holding the pivoted ends of said swing hangers in spaced relation to the adjacent portions of the truck frame.

5. In a railway truck, a bolster having a loadcarrying center plate intermediate its ends, wheels and axles, a truck frame supported thereby and including wheel pieces, a bracket extending laterally from each wheel piece, a coil spring device seated on each of said brackets and extending upwardly therefrom, a cap on each of said spring devices, swing hangers suspended from said caps and extending downwardly with their lower ends pivotally connected to and supporting the ends of said bolster, a bracket extending upwardly from each wheel piece, and a tie rod at each side of the truck connected at its ends to the corresponding cap and to the adjacent upstanding bracket respectively, the swing hangers being normally inclined in opposite directions from the vertical between their supported ends and their bolster supporting ends and normally maintained in inclined positions .by the tie rods and the bolster.

6. A truck as described in claim 5 which includes a shock absorber with relatively movable parts connected respectively to each spring supporting bracket and to the associated spring supported cap.

7. In a railway truck, a truck frame, springs mounted thereon, downwardly and outwardly inclined swing hangers pivotally supported at their upper ends from said springs, a load-carrying bolster supported from the swinging ends of said hangers, and friction devices resisting the vertical movement of said hangers and bolster due to the action of said springs and holdingthe pivotally supported ends of said hangers against movement transversely of the truck relative-to said frame.

8. In a railway truck, a truck frame including a wheel piece having a bracketextending outwardly of the truck from the wheel piece and terminatingin an upwardly extending web, a spring seated on said bracket, acap on said sprin and slidable vertically along said web, a downwardly and outwardly inclined swing hanger pivotally suspended from said cap, and a load-carrying bolster supported on said hanger.

9. In a railway truck, a truck frame, springs mounted thereon and spaced apart longitudinally of the truck, an individual spring cap on each of said springs, a swing hanger pivotally suspended from each cap, there being an individual anchor connected to each cap and the frame and positioning them relative to each other transversely of the truck, a bar extending between the lower ends of the hangers at the same side of the truck, and a load-carrying bolster extending transversely of the'truck between the hangers and springs at each side of the truck.

10; In a railway truck, a truck frame including wheel pieces, parts extending inwardly of the truck from said wheel pieces and spaced apart longitudinally of the truck, individual springs seated on said parts, individual caps on each spring, a swing hanger pivotally suspended from each cap, there being an individual anchor connected to each cap and the frame and positioning them relative to each other transversely of the truck, a bar extending between the lower ends of the hangers at the same side of the truck, and a load-carrying bolster extending transversely of the truck and including side bearings between the upper ends of the springs at the same side of the truck.

11. In a railway truck, wheels and axles, a truck frame supported thereby and including wheel pieces, each having a rigid bracket extending outwardly from the lower portion of the wheel piece, a spring unit seated on each bracket and extending upwardly above the level of the wheel piece, swing hangers at the sides of said spring units and pivotally supported from the upper portions of said spring units, and a load carrying rigid bolster extending from side to side of the truck with its end portions extending beneath said wheel pieces and connected to the lower ends of said hangers.

12. In a railway truck, wheels and axles, a truck frame supported thereby and including a wheel piece having a bracket extending inwardly of the truck and another bracket extending outwardly of the truck, a spring seated on one of said brackets, a cap on said spring, a swing hanger suspended from said cap and an elongated anchor device extending over said wheel piece and having one end connected to said cap and the other end connected to the other bracket, and a load carrying bolster having one end supported by said swing hanger.

13. In a railway truck, spaced wheel and axle assemblies, an equalizer between said assemblies at each side of the truck, spring structures cartied on said equalizers, a truck frame supported on said-spring structures and including wheel pieces in substantial vertical alignment with said equalizers, brackets on said frame forming spring seats spaced transversely of thetruck from said equalizers, spring structuresand wheel pieces, springs mounted-on said seataswing hangers pivotally supported from said springs and extending downwardly from their support alongside of said springs and spaced apart longitudinally; of the truck, and a load supporting bolster carried by said swing hangers, V V

14. In a railway truck, wheel and axle assemblies, a truck frame including a wheel piecesupportedfrom said assemblies and transverse transoms connecting the wheel pieces and holding them in spaced relation, springs at opposite sides .of the truck, each seated at its lower end on the truck frame and extending upwardly above said wheel piece, neans above the level of the wheel pieces holding the upper end of each spring against movement transversely of the truck frame, swing hangers pivotally suspended from said-springs, and a load-carrying rigid bolster extending beneath said wheel pieces and said springs and supported by said hangers, said means offering yielding resistance to vertical action of the spring and the parts supported thereby.

15. In arailway truck,wheels and axles, a truck frame supported thereby and including wheel pieces, brackets projecting laterally of the truck from opposite sides of each wheel piece, a spring seated on one of said brackets on each their pivoted upper ends.

wheel piece and having a canon its unseated end, a swing hanger pivotedly suspended at its upper end from each cap; anelong'ated anchor device extending transversely of each wheel piece with its ends pivoted respectively jto the cap and t0 the bracket at the opposite side of the wheel piece and positioning the caps toeachother transversely of the truck, and a load carrying bolster supported by the swinging ends ofsa'id hangers and" positioning said swinging ends in predetermined spaced relation to each' other transversely of the truck and substantially farther apart'than EDWIN c, JACKSON.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

,UNITED STATES PATENTS my May 2, i931 

